Red fighters fought it out against the intensified combat operations of the AFP in several areas in Southern Mindanao, inflicting a total of 20 fatalities from the enemy troops in its armed engagements over the weekend. This as, NPA units in the region launched daily tactical offensives and effectively thwarted attack operations by AFP troops in Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao City, and North Cotabato.

On February 25, at around 10:30 in the morning, NPA units under the Mt. Apo Sub-Regional Operations Command engaged a joint operation of the 39th IB and 73rd IB CAFGU in SitioBalotakay , Brgy, Managa in Bansalan, North Cotabato. Enemy fatalities ran up to 11 with several other soldiers severely wounded in the clash.

During the armed engagement the following day, February 26, Red fighters belonging to the ComVal–North Davao–South Agusan Sub-Regional Operations Command killed 9 soldiers of the 60th IB in SitioMadgao, Brgy. Sagayen in Asuncion, Davao del Norte. Two Red fighters were martyred in the hour-long firefight.

By its own account after two day-engagement, the AFP launched massive airstrikes and artillery bombardment in the two separate incidents. More than a total of 500 families in Bansalan and Asuncion towns have been displaced due to the AFP’s indiscriminate shelling.

To make certain its all-out war is sustained, the AFP in the region has already beefed up its infantry by augmenting an additional battalion in Davao City. Their arrival mocked the public statement made by GRP Mayor Sara Duterte to talk with the NPA in the wake of the tactical offensives in Calinan last week.

Even as we welcome talks initiated by well-intentioned peace advocates and GRP officials, the NPA in the region stands by its national leadership and the NDFP as the revolutionary movement’s negotiating entity in the peace process.

Meantime, Red fighters will abide by their duty to defend the masses and the revolutionary movement by launching punitive actions against the AFP, PNP and their paramilitaries who are deaf to the call for peace by carrying on with a futile all-out war.